I am not sure how I missed the book Haircuts for Woolsey’s by Tomie dePaola as I do enjoy his work. Now published under the name, Haircuts for Little Lambs I see why this might not have been one of his more popular stories. Totally done in dePaola’s style of illustrations and text, this is a fun story about Spring and how fickle it can be. Plus, there is one clever one grandmother who knows how to take care of a pesky problem.
However, I never really got into the story. It is sweet: lambs want to play outside but it is too muddy; when it is time (after mud dries up) they get their haircuts so they will not be too warm running and playing; but of course, that was false spring (come live in New England, you will learn what I mean) and it snows, so now they cannot go out to play as they would be too cold. But their grandmother has knitted sweaters out of their haircuts. But that is it. There was no real tension, it was easily solved, and you never get to know enough about the characters to like or dislike them.
This board book would be especially great for the Easter basket. Yet, also good for a first communion, a new baby gift or even for a first or second birthday. Yet, there just was not the “umph” of say, Strega Nona or The Clown of God (which if you pick up, please have a lot of tissues with you). However, it is Tomie and he can do no wrong in my eyes!